Chapter 2
Picked Up a Wolf?!
Jaina swallowed hard.
The white bandages wrapped around the wolf’s stomach—yes, it was definitely the same wolf she had treated.
It’s only been a few days, but he’s already healed this much?
Though she was nervous, Jaina carefully checked the bandages she had tied. They were dirty with dirt and dust, but there wasn’t much blood. The wound had mostly healed.
Of course—it had to be. This wolf had just hunted a deer as big as a house.
Jaina sighed quietly and, with trembling fingers, pointed at the dead deer.
“I don’t like this. Don’t bring me something like this again.”
“…?”
The wolf tilted his head.
Jaina guessed he might actually be a beastman who could understand her. But he only looked confused.
So he’s not a beastman…? Then he’s a real wolf?
Her eyes darted toward the door behind her.
Would she be faster opening the door and running inside, or would the wolf reach her first?
But strangely… she didn’t feel like he would hurt her.
Her gaze went back to the deer. First he brought fruit, then an animal carcass.
It reminded her of stray cats on the internet—cats bringing dead birds or mice as a “gift.” She hadn’t known wolves did the same.
Jaina groaned.
“Ughhh… it’s gross. I hate it. So gross…”
“…?”
If he didn’t understand words, maybe he’d understand actions. That’s what people online said.
Jaina pointed at the deer and acted dramatically.
“Boohoo… so sad. The poor deer died. I’m so sad, boohoo.”
“….”
“But fruit is good! Yummy, delicious!”
She pulled out a wild raspberry from her pocket, popped it in her mouth, and smiled brightly at the wolf.
The wolf’s eyes widened. He lifted his head sharply, as if he understood.
Did he get it?
The next second, the wolf spun around with surprising agility and disappeared into the forest.
“He… left?”
Should she go inside or wait? Maybe she was imagining things. Maybe he wasn’t trying to repay her at all.
Even so, Jaina couldn’t move. She just… felt like she had to wait for him.
And soon—
Thud. Thud.
“…Ah.”
The wolf returned, dropping a pile of berries and fruits at her feet. The same kind she had been finding near her door these past few days.
Jaina smiled despite herself.
“See? Fruit is much better. …Hmm?”
She looked up and met the wolf’s eyes. They were shining, staring at her expectantly.
Wait. Does he want me… to praise him?
Jaina hesitated.
The wolf seemed to like her—otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed off to bring fruit the moment she rejected the deer.
But… was it safe to touch him?
What if he bites? He’s not a dog. He’s a wild wolf. Dangerous.
But those glowing golden eyes looked so… gentle. Before she knew it, her hand was reaching out.
“Uh… good boy?”
She awkwardly patted his head. The wolf accepted it calmly.
Wow… so soft.
She had thought wolf fur would be rough, but it was surprisingly smooth.
Stroking him, Jaina murmured,
“I did want to adopt a rescue dog once I got settled…”
Back in Korea, she had volunteered at an animal shelter. There was even one black dog she had wanted to bring home someday—its fur was just like this wolf’s.
Remembering that, Jaina smiled softly.
“Whine, whimper.”
“Hm?”
The wolf lowered his head so she could pet him more easily, but he made a complaining sound.
What, does he know I was thinking about another dog? No way. Maybe his wound hurts?
Her expression hardened. She pulled her hand back and asked seriously,
“Can I check your wound?”
“…?”
No response. Of course, he couldn’t understand.
Jaina sighed and pointed at his belly.
“I’m going to take off the bandage. If you don’t like it, back away. But don’t bite me, okay?”
“….”
The wolf didn’t move, just stared at her.
Carefully, Jaina unwrapped the bandages. The wolf stayed still.
“…You really are almost healed.”
The scabs had dried, and only a bit of fur was stuck together. Otherwise, he looked fine.
Was it the herbs I used, or is his healing just amazing?
She removed the last of the bandage.
“…Ugh, it stinks.”
The smell hit her—old blood mixed with herbs.
Jaina frowned at him.
“You need a bath.”
“Grr!”
At the word bath, the wolf flinched and actually backed away.
“Where are you going?”
“Grr! Bark!”
“Don’t be scared, it’s fine.”
Smiling, Jaina grabbed him by the scruff before he could run. The wolf whimpered in her arms.
“…But first.”
Even if he followed her around like this, she couldn’t just let a wild wolf wander into her house.
Jaina’s eyes sparkled with an idea.
“Good boy.”
“Grrr.”
“You can’t come inside unless we do this.”
The house itself was suspicious. It stood alone in the forest, but inside—it had everything. Medicine that saved a dying wolf in one use, food that could last ten years, all kinds of supplies.
Including… a collar.
A huge, heavy-duty collar, big enough even for a wolf.
Why is this even here?
She didn’t know, but it was useful. Jaina smiled at the wary wolf.
“Okay, but first… your name.”
She couldn’t keep calling him “wolf.”
After a moment, she said the name she had once wanted for her rescue dog.
“Happy?”
“Grrr, bark bark!”
“…So, no?”
Yeah, maybe too common. She nodded.
Then she tried again.
“Alex?”
“….”
The wolf stayed still.
“You like that one?”
His black fur gleamed in the sunlight. Alex just seemed to fit.
“Alright then. Stay still, Alex.”
“Grrr…”
Finally, the wolf—no, Alex—lowered his tail in defeat.
With a satisfied smile, Jaina slipped the collar around his neck.
“Alex!!”
Jaina shouted in frustration.
“Woof! Bark bark!”
Alex shook himself wildly, sending water flying everywhere. The yard was already soaked, and so was Jaina.
“I told you to stay still!”
“Woof woof!”
“I need to wash you properly!”
But most of the heated water was already gone, splashed everywhere but on his body.
Jaina glared at him, standing in the corner.
How am I supposed to bathe him?
She knew wolves hated baths, but this was even worse than expected. At the shelter, most dogs were used to people, and they were much smaller.
Alex, on the other hand, was huge and fast.
“Ugh, there has to be a way…”
She looked around the wide, empty yard. Nothing useful.
Then—an idea popped into her head.
